WOMAN JAILED FOR OBSERVING HUSBAND'S SEX ABUSE
A woman who witnessed her then-husband being subjected to an indecent act by two girls has been given an 18-month prison sentence.During proceedings at Bournemouth Crown Court, it was revealed that the incidents occurred in the 1970s when Carol Comben, 61, from Bell Heather Close, Poole, was married to William Loftus.
The jury determined that Comben observed the acts performed on Loftus and did not take action to stop them.
Defense attorney Paul Hester argued that Comben still does not accept the convictions.
He mentioned that Loftus was a dominant and severely abusive partner, and added that Comben was “greatly ashamed” of what had transpired.
Judge Christopher Harvey Clark commented that such crimes are extremely abhorrent.
He pointed out that the jury had found as a fact that Comben saw the acts and chose not to intervene.
The judge also noted that Loftus was a violent and controlling individual and seemed to have been abusive toward Comben.
He mentioned that she was deeply infatuated with him and that she failed to object to or stop his abusive actions.
It was also disclosed that Loftus, 59, received a 12-year sentence for rape and a concurrent two-year sentence for two incidents of gross indecency with a minor.
Comben was sentenced to 18 months for her part in the offences, and an additional six months for a separate assault, with all sentences to be served at the same time.
